What is scabies?
 Scabies is a skin ailment caused by a tiny mite (0.2-0.4 mm ~ 1/100-1/50", right) that burrows into the skin causing an allergic reaction and intense itching. The mite makes small, open sores and linear burrows just under the skin.
Animal forms of this ailment, called sarcoptic mange, are caused by the same mite but there is only a small chance of "crossover" between, say, dog mange and human scabies. Don't use products intended for animals on humans.
Human scabies occurs worldwide without regard to class or economic status -- in other words anyone can get scabies. While scabies mites do not transmit diseases, their importance is related to the skin lesions, irritation and scarring they can cause. Scabies mites can be transferred by close person to person contact.
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Scabies mite, highly magnified
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